Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)

Children are not "risks" or "tools of enforcement." They are children. Current U.S. immigration policies are forcing kids to wait months in shelters, separating them from family, cutting of legal help, and pushing them into danger instead of protecting them. Every child deserves safety and care. When we forget that, it's not just policy we lose, it's our morals as a country. https://lnkd.in/eTPRPr9A

What happens when unaccompanied minors turn 18 in Europe? Our recent factsheet presents research carried out as part of the European project My Coming of Age Story (CO.A.ST) conducted in six European countries. It explores how each national system supports unaccompanied children during their critical transition to adulthood and the important role that guardians can play. Here’s a quick overview of the key takeaways: Slovakia ➡️A need for legal framework for ALL unaccompanied refugees & migrant children coming-of-age Poland ➡️Lack of data to assess the effectiveness of support systems when coming-of-age Slovenia ➡️Lack of protection after adulthood Italy ➡️Significant regional disparities France ➡️ Uncertain legal protection beyond the age of 18 Greece ➡️Sharp cut-off with little protection Read the full breakdown here: https://lnkd.in/ech2dU7h Alliance des Avocats pour les Droits de l'Homme , European Lawyers in Lesvos (ELIL) , PIC – Legal Center for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment

No matter their immigration status, children are children first. At KIND, we stand beside unaccompanied children in their most vulnerable moments. We fight tirelessly to ensure they are not alone, providing a global network of support through our psychosocial services and legal programs. We believe every child should have the chance to heal, grow, and thrive. With your support, we can help give them the stability they deserve. Learn more about our mission: supportkind.org

When Emerson was 11, he carried his 3-year-old cousin across rivers and miles of road as his family fled El Salvador. The journey was filled with hardship, but also moments of courage, love, and resilience. With KIND’s support, Emerson gained safety, opportunity, and his Green Card. Now 18, he dreams of becoming a teacher and reminds others: “The sun always rises.” 💙 Swipe to read Emerson’s full story.

In a San Francisco immigration courtroom, toddlers tend to fidget, play, and cry while their futures hang in the balance. With little to no legal help, these young children (such as Liam) who can barely talk and are playful in court, must face life-altering decisions while his mother simultaneously deals with the heavy pressure of her own immigration case. Some older kids like Danny and Ludwin even appear in court alone via Webex. Their sorrowful faces are trapped in the confines of a digital frame. Their isolation is amplified, and their voices small but filled with the weight of displacement. The San Francisco Standard removes this veil by sharing illustrations that usually aren’t seen by the public. These aren’t just cases. These are children caught in the system and their story must be told. https://lnkd.in/e7TDqtju

When a child crosses the border alone, they are faced with several difficult challenges. Navigating life in a new country, many are left isolated, frightened, and uncertain about what comes next. At Kids in Need of Defense, we stand beside these children, offering the support and protection every child deserves. Seeking safety should never mean being left unprotected. Take action with us to support unaccompanied children. https://lnkd.in/eJbzN9u9

Federal agents have begun interviewing unaccompanied migrant children directly inside government shelters. This is a stark shift from past practice, when such access was rare and tightly controlled. Without guaranteed legal counsel or trusted advocates present, these interviews risk retraumatizing kids, undermining trust in the system meant to protect them, and deterring them from sharing critical safety concerns. Children who came here alone deserve trauma-informed care, not interrogation by law enforcement. https://lnkd.in/eRdNuD66

Join us on August 21st from 15:00-16:30 CET, for insightful online session on recognizing key indicators of criminal exploitation of Children, led by Dr Alicia Heys. Register here: https://lnkd.in/eA7VR9-C

On #InternationalYouthDay, we listen to the voices that matter most. KIND was proud to support SIPINNA in creating a focus group with migrant youth in Mexico City, in partnership with CAFEMIN, Aldeas Infantiles, and Casa Alianza. These adolescents, many unaccompanied, shared their lived experiences, challenges, and ideas for ensuring children arriving in Mexico can do so safely, with dignity, and with full rights. Their message is clear: children on the move must have a say in the policies that shape their lives, safety, and futures. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e9zQrXa6 // En el #DíaInternacionalDeLaJuventud, escuchamos las voces que más importan. KIND se enorgulleció de apoyar a SIPINNA en la creación de un grupo focal con jóvenes migrantes en la Ciudad de México, en colaboración con CAFEMIN, Aldeas Infantiles y Casa Alianza. Estos adolescentes, muchos de ellos no acompañados, compartieron sus experiencias, desafíos e ideas para garantizar que los niños que llegan a México puedan hacerlo de forma segura, con dignidad y con plenos derechos. Su mensaje es claro: los niños en situación de movilidad humana deben tener voz y voto en las políticas que definen sus vidas, su seguridad y su futuro. Más información: https://lnkd.in/e9zQrXa6

Protecting unaccompanied children starts with staying informed. Subscribe to our newsletter for KIND updates, global policy changes, and ways you can take action. https://bit.ly/3Jn5rbv